The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its 2011 Frank E. Sorenson Award to Dr. R. Troy Allen, Assistant Dean, College of Graduate Studies, Indiana State University (ISU).
The Sorenson Award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, recognized Dr. Allen for “outstanding achievement of excellence in aviation research/ scholarship.”
Sponsored by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the award is presented to professional educators who have made substantial scholarly contributions to the field of aviation, comparable to the achievements of Dr. Frank E. Sorenson, a pioneer in the field of aviation education, a renowned educator, and a prolific writer. Dr. Sorenson wrote aviation education texts, served as a consultant and innovator, and was director of the University of Nebraska Aviation Education Research Group.
Allen has more than 20 years of aviation experience. A prolific researcher and author, Dr. Allen’s writings encompass scholarly publications, technical reports, articles in trade publications, and funded research. He is the author of “Project TAKEOFF” (Teaching Aviation Knowledge Educates Our Future Flyers), a program developed to encourage students to consider aviation as a career, and to understand the positive impact aviation has in our world. The program received the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) aerospace education award. While at ISU, Dr. Allen has introduced the program to the student chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and they presently visit area middle schools and continue to excite students about aviation. He has also conducted workshops demonstrating to teachers how to use aviation as a vehicle for teaching science, math, and technology in the classroom.
The University Aviation Association (UAA), a nonprofit organization, represents more than 525 members consisting of educators, students, high schools, two- and four-year collegiate institutions offering aviation degree programs, and organizations and industry representatives that support collegiate aviation. The UAA also serves as the voice of collegiate aviation education to government, industry organizations and the general public.
